Reader’s quick reviews. All unsolicited.
(Ireland) Michael McCook (bipolar II) 9 Dec. 2007
“Hi Katy, thanks ever so much for the opportunity of a chapter pre-read, I was utterly enthralled by the levels of blunt honesty and the situations you were in. To describe it in a word, “wow” would be a major understatement if ever there was one. “Captivating” would be my word of choice. You will most definitely sell a copy to me, that’s for sure. The gold nugget of a preview you sent will be securely for my own eyes, I will tell you it’s fantastic though. Also, you’re very cheeky leaving it on such an enigmatic cliffhanger!”

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(UK) Sarah Mercer (bulimic, mood disorder, borderline personality disorder) Feb. 2008
“I’ve read the whole book and I found it a compelling read, very well written. I think it is quite unusual as Katy is in a position to combine extensive intellectual expertise with quite extraordinary personal experience. The brutal honesty of this book is quite unusual but so refreshing, the fact that little is censored is so important – it facilitates a deeper understanding of mental illness and the hell the sufferer experiences. Honesty and open disclosure is the route needed to break down the social stigma surrounding mental health matters and this book takes a huge step forward in this respect. I gained greater understanding of my own illness and even felt more accepting of the struggle I faced, but most of all seeing how low one person can sink and to then recover enough to be in a position to help others gives me hope for my own recovery.”

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(USA – Texas) Tobias Monk (perfectly sane). 12 Apr. 08
“Once I began reading Dark Clouds Gather I could not put it down. As the child of a bipolar parent it struck a chord within me. I was particularly impressed with your perception and perspective of your illness. Your story is a confirmation of experiences for those who suffer from bipolarity, and an eye opening revelation for those who do not.”

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(UK) Lucy Sumner, (perfectly sane), March 2008.

“Unquestionably the most gripping thing I’ve ever read. The Oxford background is a great added bonus.”

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(Spain) Maria Nieto Vizcaya (bipolar I) 15 Dec. 2007
“I’m deeply thankful to you for letting me dive in such a private experience, it’s been an amazing read I’ll never forget, you left a print in my heart. I think it is an incredible testimony to bring huge awareness to society.”

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(UK) Stephen (major unipolar depression) Dec. 2007
“Wow!!! I just finished reading that chapter of your book. That’s pretty close to the bone. I really admire your courage and candour and total honesty about everything about your guilt, confusion and your own faults and fears. I really hope that someone reads it who could be able to publish it, this is a story that needs to be told, to be read, to be understood. Get that book done, it’s a very important work as I’m sure you know, and will do a lot of good.”

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Bipolar disorder survivor, anon, 2007.

“Until I read this, I thought I’d made an embarrassing number of suicide attempts…”